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Last week our own Cole Abaius had the chance to sit down with director Darren Aronofsky and actress Marisa Tomei to talk about their highly acclaimed new film The Wrestler, which is being called the resurgence of Mickey Rourke. And while we will be posting reports from those interviews soon, we’ve also scored some new photos from the film, courtesy of Fox Searchlight. Also, below the image gallery you will find the official extended synopsis for the film.

Release: December 17, 2008
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Written by: Robert Siegel
Produced by: Scott Franklin, Darren Aronofsky
Executive Produced by: Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Jennifer Roth
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood

Back in the late ‘80s, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey.

Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life — trying to reconnect with his daughter, and striking up a blossoming romance with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who is ready to start a new life. Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy “The Ram” back into his world of wrestling.

Director Darren Aronofsky presents a powerful portrait of a battered dreamer, who despite himself and the odds stacked against him, lives to be a hero once again in the only place he considers home – inside the ring.

The Wrestler had its North American premiere at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Golden Lion at the 2008 Venice Film Festival.  Directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Rob Siegel, The Wrestler stars Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood.  The film was produced by Scott Franklin and Darren Aronofsky thru Protozoa Pictures.  Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre and Jennifer Roth served as executive producers and Mark Heyman co-produced.  The Wrestler will be a limited platform release starting on December 19, 2008.

The running time on this film is 105 minutes and is rated R.